Poems from John Hay Poet Society
Lanterned Yawl
Christmas Eve on lanterned yawl
Drawn upon my woolen shawl
Gliding down the icy path
Shadows fall on branched mast
Whistling wind push forward all
Snow amassed in wondrous squall
Chimney smoke sails upward past
Unfurling memories of Christmas last
Distant church bells merrily call
Stars enshrine the manger stall
Moonlit shores aglow so vast
Harken all to hurry fast
Joined together our voices fall
Guided upward upon steeple tall
Heavenly words recited en masse
Candles flicker in wavy glass
Kindred spirits our hearts enthralled
Wayward home past rocky walls
Our swaddled babe is here at last
Lives redeemed and more steadfast
Diane Sullivan, North Sutton NH
Digestive Traditions
Pickled herring at midnight on New Year’s Eve,
a nauseating tradition we were glad to abandon,
was axed when Babci passed away. Still, we guiltily
bought a jar each year and pushed it unopened
to a back shelf in the refrigerator untouched, unlike
the chocolate peanut butter cups we purchase pre-
Halloween to distribute to trick or treaters who
have never graced our rural doorstep begging for treats.
We continue to honor this tradition and expand upon it,
along with our waists, until all forbidden Reese’s are gone.
This year Thanksgiving had us thinking about starting
a new tradition. Winter’s first snowstorm brought
dinner cancelations from our expected out of state guests.
With our twenty pound turkey already stuffed and in the oven,
we went back to bed for some more shut-eye. Upon rising,
all while still in our pajamas, we devoured an excellent meal,
boiled the carcass for turkey soup and made two turkey
potpies before going back to bed relaxed and happy.
The next day we spent entertaining our weekend guests
with delightful leftovers. No fancy table settings with china,
no stress about timing, just pure camaraderie, blue skies
and no looming threat of having to eat raw pickled fish at
midnight in less than a month. Babci’s midnight breakfast
food ritual now only a stomach-churning digestive tradition,
just a another gastronomic memory to record.
Dianalee Velie, Newbury NH
Christmas Past
Colored liquid bubble lights strung
round our Christmas tree,
Tinsel looped dramatically cross branches
laid low by gaily tinted baubles.
Chalk Baby Jesus sleeps so peacefully
in a crèche marked “Made in Japan”,
Animals stand with Joseph and Blessed Virgin Mary
bringing tears to my adolescent self.
Mum sings Christmas carols from a book
marked “Courtesy of John Hancock Insurance”,
Brother and I join in though we’d
rather be watching TV.
Christmas morning arrives in pre-dawn splendor
evidence of Santa’s coming is happily there,
Sister squeals at the sight of “Betsy Wetsy” in a plastic covered box
Dad looks contentedly upon all that he has done.
David Balford, New London NH
Standing Alone
Our tree stands on the dock
strung with tiny white lights and a star.
Few can gaze upon it,
our neighbors have all flown.
Snow clings to the branches
that twinkle with the wind
each sparkle lifts my heart.
There is a chance of joy again.
Last year passed with failed promises
and now I am afraid.
Trust and dignity are absent,
our future is unclear.
Still, I wish and hope.
Mary Blohm, Newbury NH
Christmas Traditions
Remember those years when we were small…
Can you go back that far and recall
Times when the family gathered together to see
Christmas sing-alongs on the one, lone TV?
There were several that I remember fondly -
Like Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby.
And always special was the visiting with the troops
When Bob Hope flew to bases in his global loops.
Other families also hosted those holiday sing-alongs,
And we’d watch and join in, singing the songs.
It was simpler and tighter, as a family should be
Sharing holiday sing-alongs next to our tree.
S. J. Little, Newbury NH
'Tis the Season
Listen through
Distraction
Self-doubt
Be very quiet
Listen for
Moving water
Hiss of central heat
Howl of wind
Crackle of a fire
Singing of wind
Creaking stair tread
Kettle boiling
Give your full attention
Loose yourself in sounds
Soothing
Uncomfortable
Unknown
Unfathomable
Close your eyes
Enter a world
Of sound
Sit quietly
Listen
Learn
Awaken
To December forests
Cloaked in dreams
Kathleen Skinner Shulman New London NH
New Year's Eve, Unity
I went out into the night
naked as I could be,
except for a lone loin cloth
made from an old nightie.
Light pink with yellow stars,
and my belly painted blue,
bird feathers around the ankles,
held there with Elmer’s glue.
I built a fire in an old hubcap
and began to dance and wail,
while Patty sat upon the ground
beating on an old milk pail.
The dance started slow
then picked up in speed.
It weren’t long before
I was flying like a winning steed.
Twirling and dancing
like a chief of old.
Soon I got tired
started feeling cold.
Pat said in disgust,
“When I said lets go out dancing,
I meant in at a public place,
not this naked prancing.”
Doug King, Newport NH
Ringers of Bells
Each Christmas Eve we gather here,
around the tree with hand bells near.
Our mission all to ring Deck The Halls,
a family tradition that sometimes galls.
We, each, must be exact, precise,
only the perfect note will suffice.
Grandma, Grandpa tone bells of holly,
my parents join, but in my folly,
I ring a note not harmonizing,
my siblings gasp it’s so alarming.
Even Rover, around his collar,
carries a bell but hears the holler,
of my parents as they realize,
this year’s dream of accord’s demise.
Patsy Barrett-King, Newport NH
Christmas Eve, 2024
Why are we searching in this empty inn
for signs of revelry
on this one night of nights?
Why do we festoon ourselves
with finery tinseled
with the light from bonfires
that consume once-treasured earth?
Too much of red and green, too much
of all that Mammon heaps
in his vast shopping cart.
Too much is not enough for us—
we glut ourselves, and starve.
We face our mirrors, and ask Who?
Our earbuds yield cacophony
that has no source but self.
There is no answer here but void.
Look out beyond the vacant inn,
and find the Star that rises still
for those who tire of dross—
Then follow to the place of light
where once, and now, and evermore,
and bearing endless gifts
of love and peace and joy,
the Child, with hope itself, is born.
Joan T. Doran, New London NH
Memories of Christmas
Jingle Bells and pickled herring
cookies baking, garish sweaters wearing
fireplace blazing while presents I’m wrapping
to stuff in stockings and mailing and packing.
The crèche on the mantle, lights all a-blinking
I listen to music while Santa is winking
a-top of the Christmas tree.
On the Eve of Christmas the only restaurant open
is McCully Shop Sui where our favorites are chosen
then off to church where the children lead us
in the story of Mary and Joseph and Jesus.
At home we open pajamas presents
plate up the cookies and a-wait
Santa’s presence.
The ornaments of childhood we put up now,
candles and angels, our house all a-glow
bringing times of family and friends
together where everything blends
into memories.
Jennie Pollard, Windsor VT
Santa's Village 2024
The joyful news it's happening again
To so many this 70th year of Santa's Village means everything.
Visiting Santa's Village in the small town of Bristol
Is better than viewing a priceless crystal.
Real elves dressed in red and white Christmas clothes have jobs to do all night
So don't look tired or grumpy but they're always cheery and bright.
With so many people involved in this major production
It takes a few weeks to complete this joyous construction.
There is a Candy Shop where Elves hand out so many sweets
Stopping there one could fill up with too many treats.
One might pay respect at the chapel of all faiths
Meditate and find your souls resting grace.
Elves at the Toy Shop pounding, shaping, gluing and making happy sounds
So they can give you a toy and finish more before the next round.
Elves at the North Pole Post office is open for sending that special letter
For Santa to read and think of you better.
The conductor says the North Pole express is running at top speed
To deliver Elves where ever they see a need.
Ms. Claus is handing out freshly baked cookies from her rocking chair
She and the Elves make sure every boy and girl will get their fair share.
A special display of Annalee Dolls and a well lit merry Christmas town
Is a treat for your eyes and definitely not make you frown.
Overseen by Elves, jumping, flashing, squeaky toys making a happy clatter
With random, crazy movements of these toys, young and old are always flattered.
Elves accompany you into Santa's House with shelves packed with unwrapped toys
You imagine which of these toys might bring you so much joy.
Someone with a white beard, dressed in red and white, is waiting to hear your Christmas wishes
And reminding you to always help your parents do the dishes.
Now Santa is listening, noting each item on your Christmas lists
Saying he will visit you soon and try to grant your every wish.
Santa has a gift for you when leaving this special house to hang in your room or tree
And just like being good to others, is completely free.
A final good bye and holding a Christmas ornament and toy as a reminder to always believe.
Tom Keegan, Bristol NH
